Shear Strength Characteristics of One-Part Alkali Activated Concrete Mixes—A DOE Approach

Abstract

Utilization of one-part alkali-activated concrete (OPAAC) mixes is an advantageous option for large-scale construction applications. In the present investigation, the main objective was to investigate the shear strength characteristics of OPAAC mixes that were made using GGBFS and fly ash as precursors and sodium meta-silicate as solid activator. Taguchi’s DOE approach has been used to reduce the experimental effort and to find the optimum parameters. An initial set of nine OPAAC mixes was identified based on an L-9 array, with three representative levels considered for each of three principal mix parameters and experiments were conducted to test their compressive and shear strengths. The test results revealed that the OPAAC mixes exhibited 28-day compressive strength values ranging from 55 to 70 MPa, with shear strengths varying in the range of 8.5–12.67 MPa. Multi-linear regression equations were then developed to predict the 28-day compressive and shear strengths using MINITAB 21 statistical software. The predictions of these were verified by conducting actual strength experiments on a new set of three verification mixes. Further, additionally, a generalized correlation was developed to predict the 28-day shear strength of OPAAC mixes based on the known 28-day compressive strength. Again, an examination of microstructures was carried out through the utilization of FESEM analysis, to get a general appreciation of the microstructure (morphology) and elemental composition using EDX analysis of these mixes. The outcomes of this study are anticipated to promote the extensive adoption of environmentally friendly and sustainable materials within the construction industry. The findings of this study are anticipated to promote the extensive adoption of environmentally friendly and sustainable materials in the construction industry. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.